TRENTON – Legislation that would increase the amount of aid given to blind and paralyzed veterans has cleared the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Jim Beach, D-Voorhees Township, would increase monthly payments made to veterans who have permanently lost their vision as a result of military service. The bill would also increase monthly payments to veterans with permanent paralysis and other described disabilities as a result of enemy action.

Currently, New Jersey pays an annual allowance to soldiers and veterans with certain wartime service-connected disabilities. A visually impaired veteran now receives $750 annually under the “Blind Veterans’ Allowance Program.” This amount, which has not changed since 1971, would be increased to $1,200 annually under this bill. Additionally, a veteran with certain other described disabilities also receives $750 annually under the Paraplegic and Hemiplegic Veterans’ Allowance Program. This amount, which has not changed since 1981, would also be increased to $1,200 annually.